Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 005942
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 005942) is a discretionary federal grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.310. It is aimed at helping U.S. agriculture and forestry both mitigate and adapt to climate variability and long-term climate change. In practical terms, the program is designed to fund work that cuts greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural and forest production systems, expands carbon sequestration in soils and biomass, and strengthens the ability of farms, ranches, and forestlands to remain productive under more variable weather patterns and changing climate conditions.
The opportunity emphasizes measurable, long-term resource and climate outcomes. The stated program-wide targets include reducing the use of energy, nitrogen fertilizer, and water by 10 percent, while increasing carbon sequestration by 15 percent, achieved through more resilient agricultural and forest production systems. These targets point applicants toward solutions that improve efficiency and sustainability at the same time: for example, practices or technologies that reduce fuel and electricity use, improve nitrogen management to lower nitrous oxide emissions and nutrient losses, optimize irrigation and water conservation, and increase the amount of carbon stored in soils, trees, and perennial vegetation. The broader intention is to build production systems that are not only lower-emitting but also better able to handle stressors such as drought, heat, shifting pest and disease pressures, extreme precipitation, or longer growing season variability.
Funding is offered through two main pathways: multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. The integrated projects component signals that NIFA is looking for proposals that do more than basic research alone. Strong proposals typically connect research with education and extension so that new knowledge is developed, translated into practical recommendations, and delivered to stakeholders such as producers, land managers, advisors, and local or regional decision-makers. The inclusion of education components suggests support for curriculum development, workforce training, and student development aligned with climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The extension component highlights outreach, demonstration, and adoption, helping ensure that successful approaches move beyond publications into real-world implementation.
FASE grants are also supported under this challenge area, which generally indicates mechanisms intended to strengthen or broaden participation in agricultural research, including certain investigator development and institutional capacity-building objectives, depending on the specific FASE category used. The announcement makes clear that eligibility depends on the project type and that applicants should consult the program documentation sections referenced in the notice (Part III, A for eligible applicants and Part II, C for the descriptions of project types). In other words, who can apply and under what conditions is tied to whether the proposal is submitted as an integrated project, a specific FASE mechanism, or another eligible project structure defined in the full solicitation.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a grant in the agriculture funding activity category, offered by NIFA. The original closing date listed for this particular notice was November 17, 2016, and the record shows a creation date of July 12, 2016. While this provides the historical timeline for that specific posting, the underlying AFRI challenge area theme reflects a continuing federal priority area, and similar climate-related AFRI solicitations often reappear in later years with updated priorities, deadlines, and funding levels. The summary takeaway is that this program is focused on funding science-based, applied, and stakeholder-connected work that reduces emissions, increases carbon storage, and improves the resilience of U.S. agricultural and forest systems, with an explicit push toward integrated projects that combine research with education and extension to drive measurable on-the-ground outcomes.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 005942
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-07-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-11-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: AFRI Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area (USDA NIFA AFRI 005942)
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area, a discretionary federal grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The funding opportunity number provided is USDA NIFA AFRI 005942, and it is listed under CFDA 10.310.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), under the broader AFRI program.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program aims to help U.S. agriculture and forestry mitigate and adapt to climate variability and long-term climate change. It focuses on practical, science-based work that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases carbon sequestration in soils and biomass, and strengthens the resilience and productivity of farms, ranches, and forestlands under changing climate conditions.
What kinds of outcomes does the program emphasize?
The opportunity emphasizes measurable, long-term resource and climate outcomes. It points applicants toward solutions that improve efficiency and sustainability while delivering climate mitigation and adaptation benefits.
Are there specific program-wide targets mentioned?
Yes. The stated program-wide targets include reducing the use of energy, nitrogen fertilizer, and water by 10 percent, while increasing carbon sequestration by 15 percent, achieved through more resilient agricultural and forest production systems.
What types of projects or approaches does the program encourage?
Based on the description provided, the program encourages approaches such as:
- Reducing fuel and electricity use in agricultural and forest production systems
- Improving nitrogen management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and nutrient losses
- Optimizing irrigation and improving water conservation
- Increasing carbon stored in soils, trees, and perennial vegetation
- Strengthening system resilience to drought, heat, shifting pest and disease pressures, extreme precipitation, and variable growing seasons
What funding pathways are available under this opportunity?
Funding is offered through two main pathways:
- Multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects
- Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants
What does it mean that the opportunity supports Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects?
It means NIFA is looking for proposals that go beyond basic research alone. Strong proposals typically connect research with education and extension so that new knowledge is developed, translated into practical recommendations, and delivered to stakeholders.
Who are the intended stakeholders for integrated projects?
The description highlights stakeholders such as producers, land managers, advisors, and local or regional decision-makers, suggesting an emphasis on real-world applicability and adoption.
What kinds of education activities are implied by the opportunity?
The inclusion of education components suggests support for curriculum development, workforce training, and student development aligned with climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
What kinds of extension activities are implied by the opportunity?
The extension component highlights outreach, demonstration, and adoption. The intent is to help ensure successful approaches move beyond publications into on-the-ground implementation.
What are FASE Grants in the context of this opportunity?
FASE grants are also supported under this challenge area and generally indicate mechanisms intended to strengthen or broaden participation in agricultural research. Depending on the specific FASE category used, they may include investigator development and institutional capacity-building objectives.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility depends on the project type. The notice indicates that applicants should consult the program documentation sections referenced in the solicitation (Part III, A for eligible applicants and Part II, C for descriptions of project types). In practice, who can apply and under what conditions is tied to whether the proposal is submitted as an integrated project, a specific FASE mechanism, or another eligible project structure defined in the full solicitation.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized as a grant in the agriculture funding activity category and is offered by NIFA.
What is the closing date listed for this specific notice?
The original closing date listed for this particular notice was November 17, 2016.
When was this record created?
The record shows a creation date of July 12, 2016.
Does the 2016 closing date mean the program is no longer relevant?
The dates provided reflect the historical timeline for that specific posting. The description also indicates the underlying AFRI challenge area theme reflects a continuing federal priority area, and similar climate-related AFRI solicitations often reappear in later years with updated priorities, deadlines, and funding levels.
What is the overall takeaway for applicants considering this opportunity?
The program is focused on funding science-based, applied, and stakeholder-connected work that reduces emissions, increases carbon storage, and improves the resilience of U.S. agricultural and forest systems. It also places an explicit emphasis on integrated projects that connect research with education and extension to drive measurable on-the-ground outcomes.
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